grosse

Grosse is a surname of German origin. It is a variant of the name Große, derived from the German adjective groß meaning large or great. The surname may have originated as a nickname for a tall or imposing person, or as a toponymic name linked to a place named with groß. The spelling Grosse is common in contexts where umlauts are not used, such as in English-speaking countries.

In genealogical and historical records, Grosse is found alongside related forms such as Groß, Gross, and Große. The differences in spelling reflect regional orthography and language adaptation rather than distinct sources. The name is associated with populations that have Germanic linguistic heritage and with communities that carried German surnames abroad.

In modern German, Groß is the standard form for the adjective meaning great or big. Große with the umlaut is the feminine singular form and appears in possessive or attributive uses and in many place names. When transliterated or anglicized, the form Grosse is often used, particularly in official documents or genealogical records outside German-speaking areas.

Because Grosse is a surname and a root for place names in some regions, it may refer to any number of people or geographic features bearing the name. Without additional context, it serves as a surname etymology note rather than a specific topic.